General description: The Virginia Creeper is a vine that occupies the ground and trees in parts of America and Canda Leaf: five Leaflets, 2-6 inches, toothed margins, Red as first emerge, gradually turn green, Bright red/marron in fall, leaves are compound Form: Woody vine Fruit: Green flowers bloom in June and July, Fruit between August and October, small clusters of fruit (4 to 6 millimeters) with blue and black berry, usually contain two to three seeds Bark: None Location: Beachvalley Trail, on oak tree near Upper North Beachvalley Trail Bridge and creek (usually occupy ground or trees) Habitat: Occupy ground or trees Economic/Ecological Importance: Songbirds, deer, cattle, squirrels, and other small animals eat the fruit. Provides shade for songbirds and animals. For humans, people use as decoration at their homes. Range: Eastern and Central USA and Southeastern Canada Toxicity: In sap and berry it contains oxalic acid, which is an organic acid that can cause irratation and skin rash. Fun Fact: Sometimes confused with poison ivy, but VC has five leaves and poison ivy has three. It is related to the grape family.
Virginia Creeper
Parthenocissus quinquefolia
Leaf: five Leaflets, 2-6 inches, toothed margins, Red as first emerge, gradually turn green, Bright red/marron in fall, leaves are compound
Form: Woody vine
Fruit: Green flowers bloom in June and July, Fruit between August and October, small clusters of fruit (4 to 6 millimeters) with blue and black berry, usually contain two to three seeds
Bark: None
Location: Beachvalley Trail, on oak tree near Upper North Beachvalley Trail Bridge and creek (usually occupy ground or trees)
Habitat: Occupy ground or trees
Economic/Ecological Importance: Songbirds, deer, cattle, squirrels, and other small animals eat the fruit. Provides shade for songbirds and animals. For humans, people use as decoration at their homes.
Range: Eastern and Central USA and Southeastern Canada
Toxicity: In sap and berry it contains oxalic acid, which is an organic acid that can cause irratation and skin rash.
Fun Fact: Sometimes confused with poison ivy, but VC has five leaves and poison ivy has three. It is related to the grape family.